The state government on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for an integrated project to give a facelift to the Barabati Fort moat area.

Tourism minister Ashok Panda said the beautification plan envisaged development of the vacant land adjacent to the moat. “We plan to implement an integrated development plan for beautification of the moat area into a tourist spot,” Panda said after laying the foundation stone. “The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) will execute the project,” he said.

The 2.5km stretch of moat surrounds the fort, which is a protected area under the ASI custody.

OTDC executive engineer P.C. Mohapatra said that in the first phase, the vacant land near the moat on the western side of the fort. He said the ASI had already given its approval to develop the land, which had been turned into a dumping ground for debris. “We will be spending Rs 5 crore in the first phase for transforming the land under a destination tourism project highlighting the history of Barabati Fort,” Mohapatra said.

Barabati Fort was the seat of sovereign powers, who had ruled Odisha for over five centuries. It was headquarters of the Ganga dynasty’s Kalinga Empire (1112-1435), home to Suryavamsi Gajapatis (1436-1540), Bhois (1542 -1560) and Mukundadev, the last great Hindu ruler of Odisha (1560-68).

The OTDC will construct a building with an auditorium for an interpretation centre and come up with a gallery equipped with facilities to initiate visitors into the history of Cuttack in the Barabati Fort.

Mohapatra said: “Inside the interpretation centre, there will be kiosks as well as souvenir and memorabilia shops. Toilets, lavatories and other basic amenities would be also provided for the visitors.”

“The area around the building will be developed and pathways created along the moat with landscaping of the vacant area there,” he said.

“In recent years, there has been lot of activity for development of Barabati Fort. But, the abundantly grown weeds still continue to be the perennial feature of the moat waters. Not to speak of the squalor around it along with dumping of solid wastes,” said Srivihar resident Swarupini Patnaik.

The fort had been declared protected in 1915. The ASI had excavated a mound in 1989 and since developed a well laid-out garden there with avenue plantation in the adjacent parts. But, the moat has remained long neglected with abundant growth of weeds.